OVERVIEW

Every medical act involves the use of resources that are inevitably limited compared to the needs of the population. To make informed decisions, doctors must rely on three key economic principles: effectiveness, efficiency, and equity.

Basic knowledge of economics is necessary for doctors to:

• Understand how to allocate resources optimally
• Improve outcomes and the quality of care
• Contribute to the sustainability of the healthcare system through efficient and equitable resource management

A doctor with economic skills is better equipped to face the challenges of the profession and can better ensure not only the well-being of patients but also public health as a whole.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide the following skills:

• Ability to analyze the economic aspects of decisions in healthcare.
• Skill in evaluating the optimal use of resources with a focus on appropriateness.
• Knowledge of Health Technology Assessment and techniques for measuring quality of life.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The health economics module will provide students with tools to apply fundamental principles of health economics in medical decisions. It will integrate clinical methodologies with economic approaches, enabling future doctors to understand the essential functioning of the healthcare system they will operate within. They will be equipped with straightforward interpretative tools to make decisions that not only adhere to best medical practices but also optimize the use of available resources

The course aims to provide the following skills:

• Ability to analyze the economic aspects of decisions in healthcare.
• Skill in evaluating the optimal use of resources with a focus on appropriateness.
• Knowledge of Health Technology Assessment and techniques for measuring quality of life.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures and practical exercises

Any Student with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, shall reach out to the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the Department before class begins, in order to liase and arrange the specific teaching methods and ensure proper achievement of the learning aims and outcomes.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The Italian National Health Service (SSN). Federalism and redistributive models. Efficiency, efficacy/effectiveness, sustainability. Non-health determinants of health and equity. Public and private healthcare expenditure, Appropriateness, LEA and LEP. Information asymmetry and principal-agent relationship. Innovation and sustainability. QALYs, DALYs, EuroQoL, Health Technology Assessment (HTA), and major economic evaluation techniques

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Handouts, slides, exercises and any other material to support the lectures will be made available by AulaWeb

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

CARLO PESCE (President)

MARIA PIA SORMANI (President and Coordinator of Integrated Course)

GIANLUCA DAMONTE (President Substitute)

JOSEPH MICHAEL LEE (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

According to the official schedule of the degree course

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

students are assessed by a written final test

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The final test will check and assess  students' knowledge of main topics and tecnicalities.  Multiple choice questions  will check  technicalities and specific contents. Open questions and exercises will check students' critical skills and  their ability to elaborate  logically the topics taught in the course.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of disability or Specific Learning Desorders (DSA) on file with the University may request the use of compensatory measures during the exams (e.g. additional time, concept maps, modifications in the written/oral mode), following the guidelines (p. 5) published here.